scottz

Hi, first time post. I am 6'7", 230 lbs, 36" inseam, height mostly in my legs and have long arms as well. I'm looking for a solid comfortable bike for long touring (multiple weeks/months), and I'm trying to keep things as affordable as possible (ideally under $1000 CAD, but I could tolerate up to under $2000 CAD).

It seems like the KHS Flite 747 is the only bike on the market that fits that price range and comes in a 3XL. However, I am wondering if that's overkill for my height alone, since I am not the heaviest rider. If it is actually bigger than I need, it looks like the 747 in 2XL is not actually that different from other models - and since I am in Toronto, Canada, the KHS 747 is hard to find. The KHS flite 747 seems to have a longer reach than most other options, but since it's a touring bike, I'm wondering if a longer reach would actually not be so comfortable. If the KHS is overkill, then I'd rather look for something I can actually find in Toronto, and that maybe costs a little less.

Do you know if I would really get what I need with the KHS 747 or if I could get away with something either easier to find, or more affordable, or both? Other options I'm looking at are the Surly LHT, the Trek 520, the Cannondale Touring, and the Fuji Sportif. Also, any other tall Torontonians on here with experience trying to buy a bike in this city?

Thanks all for the advice!

chaadster

I can't answer any of your questions directly, but wonder if you're familiar with Leonard Zinn, his cycles, and his fit calculator? The calc may be helpful in understanding which dimensions are most important for you. As a specialist builder for tall riders, his perspective on frame geometry may be more specific than general calculators.

Fit Calculator Road

brawlo

For what you say you want to do, I would suggest that stack is as or even more important than reach. For long miles you'd want a more upright position and that is really hard to obtain for tall riders. Look at bikes with a really tall headtube. Most bike makers use standard forks that only come with 300mm steerer tubes, and so don't do really long head tubes on their frames. Note the height difference for headtubes vs seat tubes from small sizes to the largest ones. They don't both get longer at the same rate! A 747 may actually be a better fit for you due to the tall head tube.

I'm a measly 6'5" but all legs and arms too. I just went for a Canyon XXXL CF SL. It's fantastic with it's taller headtube, but I'm still a shorter distance racer with a heavy leaning towards track racing, so my geometry needs are very different from yours.

VORZAP

I'm 6'8" 248 lbs (started at 275) and am happily riding a 64cm Trek Emonda ALR 6. In the 9 months I have had the bike I made numerous upgrades: garmin 520, powertap p1 pedals, dura ace c24 wheels, conti 4000 sii 25mm tires, brooks c13 saddle, 11-32 ultegra cassette and ultegra mid cage derailleur, and am now waiting on a 180mm 50/34 dura ace crankset. It's been a moneysuck for me but I made up for it by riding 21 mph+ club rides and trying not to get dropped in cat 5 club races.

scottz

Thanks all. I found out during a bike fit the other day that I have approx a 40 inch inseam and I need a bottom bracket-to-top of saddle height of around 100 cm. Anyone got any suggestions for crazy massive bikes that fit the bill?

brawlo

Pretty much any big bike should get you done for saddle height. You can buy seat posts up to 400mm long and possibly even longer. You need to work out where you want your handlebars and what frame is going to accommodate that. That is where you're going to find things harder.

oddjob2

You might search for a vintage frame and hang a modern group on it.

Trek 610 1984 - Reynolds 531cs $275
https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/bik/5530283783.html

Fuji Royale
https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/bik/5538748701.html

A new Shimano 105 group can be had for under $400 and a 105 wheelset for $200.

Binky

You know you want it.... Come on over to my house & take it for a ride.

Binky

Juan Carless

I'm sorry I'm late to this thread,but...the KHS Flite747 IS different from other, XXL frames.It was designed around a crankset with 200mm crankarms. These are an inch, or more, (30mm, actually) longer than "normal"(170mm) arms, and necessitate an elevated bottom-bracket, and revised geometry, in order to regain pedal clearance when cornering. Chaadster recommended you look up Lennard Zinn, I second his recommendation. Lennard designed the 747 for KHS. He has much experience building big bikes for big guys, like us. If you want a drop-bar road bike, the 747 is in a class by itself. (Or you can buy custom, $$$$). Maybe you want a mountain bike? KHS offer their BNT 29'r (Big 'n Tall). A hard-tail (rigid frame, suspension fork) flat-bar MTB, also in 2XL and 3XL. You can check it out at KHS' website( /mountain bikes/29/BNT).
I apologize if this post reads like an advertisement for KHS, but I have a 747 and like it a lot.

scottz

Thanks everyone. Juan and others who own a KHS Flite 747 - I'm interested in hearing what you use it for. Do you race? Day-long rides? Multi-day trips? Multi week/month treks? Or something else? The issue is I'm looking for a touring bike, so I want something that fits and is comfortable for 10-12 hours a day for many months. Speed and racing is not a priority. Thanks,

Juan Carless

scottz; I am 6'5" (197cm), 260lbs (118kg)... and 61 years old. Not a racer, just a recreational cyclist at this point. The 747 is a general purpose big man's bicycle. I suppose you could race it, if you wanted to (but it's not nearly the lightest bike out there), or set it up for touring or commuting, if you want to do that. The bike comes equipped with braze-ons for bottle cages (2), and fenders and/or racks. I think you could as easily tour on this bike as any other. Just my $0.02USD.
There have been other threads in this forum specifically about this bike, enter "KHS flite 747" in the search field.

scottz

Thanks Juan Carless - I've checked out many other threads but almost none seem to say definitively whether there is space and braze-ons for fenders AND a rack. Good to know they're on there. Lots to think about. Thanks,

illusiumd

sorry for resurrecting an old thread. I'm 6'7" and on reason I didn't go for a 747 because I was under the assumption that there were not braze ons for a rack... this is not correct? I might have to look at it again ...

Tall_steelies

Wow, cool bike. Still have it?

Tall_steelies

Can I, please?

csport

Zombie thread.